Batch Encode Utility Sample

The Batch Encode Utility is a sample program that you can use to automatically encode .asf files from multiple .avi or .wav files. You can also use the source code that is included with the sample to write a custom batch utility in Microsoft® Visual Basic®.

The encoding of media files is often time-consuming because there is so much processing required. The time it takes to encode a source file is roughly equivalent to the playback time of the file. For example, a five-minute file takes about five minutes to encode. A computer with a fast CPU and ample RAM can encode .asf files in half the time, nevertheless it is not unrealistic for the encoding of many files to take hours. The process can take even longer on computers with slow CPUs, and when encoding multiple-bit-rate .asf files.

The Batch Encode Utility does not speed up the encoding process, but it does take over much of the tedious manual work. You can, for example, run a batch that encodes five versions of 50 source files (.avi or .wav files) automatically during off-hours. Using the Batch Encode Utility, build a list of source files and a list of Advanced Stream Descriptor (.asd) files, and enter a destination directory. Each .asd file contains the instructions and settings for encoding a file, such as bandwidth and compression parameters. The Batch Encode Utility encodes one .asf file from each source file, using each of the .asd files.

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